sewing

It’s been a while since I sewed anything.  In fact, the last project I used the sewing machine for was back in December when I made an apron for my neice Christmas stocking. 

So, while I was home this week with a sick kid, poor little guy had a fever & cold, I dusted off one of my sewing books.

I’ve had Simple Sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter for some time but have yet to make anything. I love her books as they truely are simple, and fast.  The first thing I ever sewed 3 years ago was from her other simple sewing book.  They’re a great way to get into sewing or, in my case, a great way to get back into sewing when time is a limited resource. 

So, while Jr was napping I whipped up these simple pants with some japanese Kokka fabric I purchased from Purl in NYC.  Although the pattern calls for 3/4 of a yard of fabric I was able to make these with 1/2 a yard but just barely!  I’m pretty pleased with how they turned out and since it took less than an hour from the time I cut the fabric to the time they were done I forsee a lot of handmade pants in my future. 

I tried getting Ian to model them but as you can see, he just wouldn’t sit still. Go figured! He’s got things to do and people to see, I guess.  The next sewing project on the agenda is a metal framed purse.  Pattern found here. Wish me luck!

Wow, have the days since Thanksgiving just flown by!  Jr should be here any time and until then I’ve been craftin-it-up with some easy projects that can be completed in just a few hours for obvious reasons.

First up are these adorable crocheted loafers.  The pattern is by Hook Candy.  They work up really fast and make a great holiday gift for any new mom or mom-to-be.  The yarn I used is Red Heart’s new Eco-ways and the little buttons are genunie leather for an added dapper look!

For my niece, I whipped up this cute little reversible apron to go with some Easy Bake Oven accessories I purchased for her this Christmas. The fabric is part of the Wild Thyme fabric line by Carolyn Gavin.  Since my niece is only 8 I’m pretty sure she’s not reading this (I hope) so I thought I would share a pic before it gets wrapped.  The classic apron pattern is free and can be found here.  I made the child’s size but there’s also measurements for an adult size.  It was another quick and easy project.  The “B” monogram was made with felt and hand-stitched to the front before sewing.

My current and probably final craft project for a while is this knitted basketweave blanket.  Also a free pattern found on Lionbrand.com its being made with Vanna’s Choice in Silver Blue and Linen.  I chose to alternate the colors to make it a little more interesting. It’s only 18 by 24 and will make for a nice small car seat blanket.  Which given the impending winter will come in handy.

What are some of your favorite quick and easy craft projects this holiday season?

So, as I mentioned the blog posts have slowed down but at home its been a mad dash to get projects completed.  The house is a disaster zone but we’re making great progress.

Even with all the housework I was able to work on a small knitting project for myself.  I found this Easy Lace Scarf pattern via Ravelry.com.  It’s a very easy to follow pattern but I realized I didn’t have enough yarn to make the scarf long enough so I improvised!

A lot of knitted hand warmers are worked in rounds.  This prevents the piece from having a seam. But if you don’t have supplies like double pointed needles or aren’t into knitting rounds just yet this is a great beginners option.

Lace scarf turned hand warmers. Here’s how:

Needle size: US 8
Yarn: Worsted weight

Lace pattern from Knittersreview.com
Cast on 22 stitches and knit 2 rows.

Now you’re ready to begin the lace pattern, which is as follows.
Row 1: (RS): K all sts.
Row 2: K2, p18, k2. (Those 2 border stitches on either end will always be knit in garter stitch—their role is to keep your fabric from curling.)
Row 3: K2, (K2Tog) 3 times, (YO,K1) 6 times, (K2Tog) 3 times, k2.
Row 4: K all sts.

Repeat rows 1- 4  10 times or till the piece measures 6 inches, then knit 3 more rows before binding off.  Create another piece the same size.

Once complete place them on top of each other with right sides together and hand stitch up one side. Doesn’t matter which side as they are identical.

The next step is to figure out where to place the thumb hole.  For that, place the piece over your hand and use stitch markers to figured out where to leave the opening.

Once again place the two piece on top of each other right sides together and hand stitched to the stitch markers and that was it. Turn right side out and your done.  Pretty easy and the seam isn’t even noticeable!

The yarn I used was a silk/cashmere blend so it had a lot of stretch to it which made them a little on the big side.  Nothing a warm wash can’t fix.

However, if I made them again I would keep the pattern the same but perhap use an acrylic yarn and smaller needles (US 7) so they don’t stretch as much.

Back in July I did some research on modern quilting.  There are so many great blogs and books dedicated to this specific craft that it was a little overwhelming so I decided to start out with a simple crib quilt using charm squares. The pattern is appropriately named Due Date by Bean Counter Quilts.

I have worked with charm squares in the past and the precut 5 inch squares really do save some time in the cutting process. I went with the Arcadia fabric line because I loved the color combinations and the modern style of the fabric.  I also like the fact that it doesn’t scream baby quilt!

Bourne Supremacy, The movie download

Most of last Sunday was spent piecing the quilt top together.  I probably spend way too much time working on it, but I wanted to get it right.  All that’s left to do is sew the border and then assembling the batting/backing and lastly attached the binding.  There’s where I don’t have a clue! I’m hoping my local library has all kinds of quilting resources so I can figure out the basics.

If you’re a quilter and have any advice or favorite reference books I’d love to hear from you.

UPDATE: Craft book swap has been moved to Ravelry.com and The Chitterychattery Swappery Swappers group.

I have a few craft books and kits that are collecting dust that could get more use if in the hands of fellow crafters.  I know that we’re all trying to cut back these days so I thought it would be fun to organize a craft book swap.  So, who’s up for trading?

Depending on the response I get I will follow-up with some swap guidelines but here are a few of the selections I have to offer:

Pictured here: The Felted Knit Kit (never used); Lotta Prints; Get Your Crochet On!; One Skein Wonders & Simple Gifts to Stitch

NOTE: If you would like to sign-up for the swap please comment by Friday, August 21st and let me know which craft you’re interested in (sewing, knitting, crochet, etc) and what you have to swap.

Well, the crafting frenzy continues!  A couple of weeks ago I showed some examples of modern quilts and rather than jump into a huge project without a clue (like last time) I started with this Mini Mod Coin Quilt from the Pretty Little Patchwork collection.  It may not look mini but it’s only about 17.5 in by 22.5 in.  As the pattern describes it’s great for a first time quilter.

I was able to cut all the pieces, sew and complete in a few hours over the course of the weekend.  Since I had all the necessary supplies there were no extra trips to the craft store.  YAY! 

I used mostly Amy Butler fabric for the pattern pieces with a few extra matching scraps.  I really like how it turned out and I definitely have plans to make a much larger quilt for the kiddos room.

I’m thinking these robots, rockets and planets would be cute.

I recently purchased a manicure kit from my local drugstore and even though it came with an ugly plastic case I decided to make my own.  It turned out to be a really easy project and a great way to use up fabric scraps.  Although it’s a little early to be working on holiday gifts these would make for some super handy stocking stuffers!

Supplies:

Small amount of fabric for front, inside and pocket
Medium to heavy fusible interfacing
Snap kit or velcro for closure

Step 1: Download the manicure kit cover template I created.

Step 2: Cut out fabric using template. Cut 1 front cover, 1 inside cover, 1 interfacing & 1 pocket (on fold)

Step 3: Press interfacing to front fabric piece

Step 4: Fold, press & top stitch pocket piece

Step 5: Pin pocket piece to inside cover piece.

Step 6: Using template pocket guidelines stitch on dotted lines to create dividers and attaching pocket to inside cover.  I used blue water-soluble marker to create guidelines.

Step 8: Pin front to inside cover (right sides together)

Step 9: Sew 1/4 inch seam all way around leaving 1-2 inch gap for which to turn cover inside out

Step 10: Cut around curved edges of fabric to create a smoother corner when pressed

Step 11: Turn work inside out and press

Step 12: Topstitch around outside

Step 11: Add snap closure to front and you’re done.

If you give this a try and find that you have any problems or questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Seems like I’ve been crafting up a storm lately!  I just can’t stop.  It all started with a simple knitted sweater, which turned into a matching hat.  Since we just found out we’re having a boy I felt the need to whip up these cloth shoes. I love the fabric.  The green in the sweater is really a grass green but the brightness of the shoes stole this shot.  Anyway, all three patterns are free and available to download: Sweater, Hat, and shoes.

Yarn from Knitpicks.com and Japanese cotton frog fabric found on Etsy.com.

It’s seriously out of control.  I’ve started working on a throw that will take some time to knit.  Hopefully, that will slow me down a little but at least it keeps me occupied.

I’m looking forward to working on this super cute scarf project with “the girls.” Yay for Craft night!  Something that’s not baby-related for a change!

Image & Tutorial from Pretty Ditty.

I’ve been doing some research lately on different quilt patterns.  I started making one last year without using a pattern and well, I didn’t get very far.  It looks more like a table runner than the beginnings of a quilt!  Anyway, I thought about changing direction and doing something more modern with the fabric.  A great source of inspiration has been the Flickr Fresh Modern Quilts Pool.  

Here are some of my favorites Flickr finds so far.  Wow, try saying that 5 times! 

Stroller Quilt by Craftyblossom

Modern Baby Quilt by Handmade by Alissa

Cot Quilt by Cascade Lily Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince the movie

I love them all although I’m not sure which style would be the easiest to make for a beginner. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.

At the time I purchased the pattern and fabric for the jersey knit dress I also picked up this Fast & Easy pattern collection.

I particularly liked the drawsting dress (D) since it would be something I could “grow into” this summer. The fabric I chose was this embroidered linen that was the last of the bolt at Joann’s.

It was really easy to put together and only required the cutting of 5 pieces (front top, front skirt, back top, back skirt and drawstring). I’m really happy with the fabric even though its a little thin.  The only dilemma is that the top (bust) is a little tight and when I cinch the drawstring its right in the middle of my bust and not below it. 

For those savvy sewers out there do you have any suggestions on how I can fix it without having to start over?

My thought is that since the lower skirt fits, I could try redoing the top by adding an inch to the pattern at the bottom so that I can lower the drawstring hole. Either that or I start over with the next size pattern and turn this fabric into a skirt.  What are your thoughts?